Artur Beterbiev turns 40 today and will enter his undisputed light weight division against Dmitry Bivol on February 22 in Riyadh The road to defending the class championship.

Bivol’s get a second chance Due to complaints from fans and his promoters about his loss. This seems like a fair decision. Beterbiev wanted it more, while Bivol was just trying not to get knocked out. When you run like Bivol, you don’t win. It’s very simple.

eternal champion

Despite undergoing knee surgery for a ruptured meniscus in May 2024, Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) looks like a younger, more dynamic fighter, And defeated previously unbeaten WBA champion Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs) on October 12.

The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114 respectively. Beterbiev, fighting with only one good leg, chased Bivol around the ring looking like a dog chasing a frightened cat. Bivol has two healthy legs, he has no fighting ability.

Physically, Beterbiev looks younger than Bivol, who has looked haggard since his last game. The bags under the eyes of the 34-year-old Bivol can be seen, and his eyes are like those of an old hound.

The punishment Bivol received in the fight seemed to make him look older. Although Bivol blocked Beterbiev’s shot with his glove, the punch was too heavy and still caused damage.

Last time, when Beterbiev started to pressure Bivol, starting in the sixth round, Bivol kept moving throughout the second half. Once it started, Bivol was no longer involved in the fight. He just wants to survive.

Beterbiev held the lead for the first five rounds, letting Bivol jab and throw a combination to better effect. The game changed hands when Beterbiev went into attack mode starting in the sixth game. Bivol didn’t have the firepower, chin, or guts to fight. It’s disappointing because he doesn’t even try to make it exciting. This was pure running and holding by Bivol.

Breaking Bivol

If Beterbiev chooses to attack immediately in the rematch, it will be a rout because Bivol doesn’t have the punching power or chin to counter him. Additionally, he’s less willing to trade power shots than other fighters in the light heavyweight division. Bivol hated being hit, he was afraid of being pinned by Beterbiev.

It will be interesting to see if Bivol’s promoter Eddie Hearn starts complaining again if he loses by decision. Hopefully he can take the high road and show some class.

“It’s going to be difficult to separate them. I just don’t know if the last game will be difficult for both of them, and I don’t know if it’s the age of Beterbiev,” Callum Smith said. iFL TVquestioning whether Artur Beterbiev’s age has caught up with his Feb. 22 rematch with Dmitry Bivol.

“We’ve always said he’s going to start to look his age, but I don’t know if he got a little tired in that game. The longer it goes, you have to lean into Bivol to get a little fresher. I think more than that. Wall, but I think it’s going to be really tight again and I’m going to do my job (against Joshua Buatsi) and then watch the main event and hopefully I’ll have a chance to be the winner,” Smith said.

.@ABeterbiev I am 40 years old today🎂🎈#BetterbievBivol2 | #riadhseason | February 22, DAZN live broadcast | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/5e6J5lR9cG

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 21, 2025